Courtesy photo
Eric Hunter, Hawaii State Youth of the Year runner-up
from the Hilo Boys & Girls Club, joins winner Jaclynn Pinochi
at her Aliamanu Clubhouse. Pinochi won a $25,000 college
scholarship and an appearance on the "Oprah" show in
Chicago for her volunteer work.
Oprah awards
$25,000 to club’s
top volunteers
Youth of the Year recognized
By Helen Altonn
by popular talk show host
Star-BulletinMeeting Oprah Winfrey was a thrill in itself for Jaclynn Pinochi, 17. But there was more -- a $25,000 college scholarship, stemming from her volunteer work with the Boys & Girls Club of Honolulu.
Pinochi is the organization's Hawaii State Youth of the Year, representing the Aliamanu Clubhouse. Other finalists were Eric Hunter, with the club in Hilo; and Kristen Bunker, representing the club in Kadena, Okinawa.
A Moanalua High School junior, Pinochi said she had a lot of problems when she entered the Boys & Girls program four years ago. "My mom made me go, and I didn't want to go. Then once I was in, I didn't want to not go anymore.
"I had a really good adviser. She made me feel I had something to offer people, and I could become something myself. They bring you up from whatever level you feel when you get here."
Pinochi will represent Hawaii in the Pacific Region Youth of the Year competition June 19 in Anaheim, Calif. Five regional winners then will compete for the National Youth of the Year title in September in Washington, D.C. President Bill Clinton will install the national winner at the White House.
The Boys & Girls Club of America administers the national scholarship program, sponsored by The Reader's Digest Association.
Contestants had to write two essays on why they want to go to college and what the Boys & Girls Club means to them.
A panel of judges scored them later on public speaking, poise, contributions to their club, academics, leadership and spiritual values.
"They said they picked me because of my heart, because I spoke from my heart," Pinochi said. "I'm glad they believed it. It was all true."
Her parents also had to write an essay about her for the state contest. With her studies and volunteer work, Pinochi said she doesn't spend much time with them, so she didn't know how they felt about her. "They made me cry."
Winfrey recently honored all 50 state winners at a special taping of her television show. Each youth received a $25,000 scholarship from the "Oprah Angel Network," a nationwide
fund-raising effort.
"She is cool, just like she is on TV," Pinochi said. "She was sitting down on the stage, talking to us. She kicked off her heels. She said they hurt too much."
The youths' expenses were paid, and Winfrey gave each state winner and chaperon $150 for one night in Chicago as well as a lunch for the group.
When she called home from Chicago with news of the $25,000 scholarship, Pinochi recalled, her mother started crying and screaming.
Lei Mahoe, Aliamanu Clubhouse unit director who accompanied Pinochi, said the teen-ager has overcome many obstacles to become a leader and role model for other youths.
"Jaclynn is an excellent example of the positive impact that the Boys & Girls Club of Honolulu has on our island youngsters," Mahoe said.
As president of the Aliamanu Clubhouse Keystone Club leadership program, Pinochi is a spokeswoman and liaison for the club with business groups, service clubs and the Neighborhood Board.
She has organized and participated in service efforts, such as food drives, community cleanups and visits to children at Kaiser Medical Center.
She plays basketball and coaches kids. Then she helps the kids on her team with their homework. "I enjoy working with them a lot. It helped me find out what I wanted to be."
She plans to use her scholarship to earn a teaching degree at the University of Hawaii, so she can teach elementary school.
Pinochi is humble about her achievements. "When you do something you like to do and you want to be there every day, you don't think you work hard doing it," she said.
